Flying Away
Beth Malone Lyrics
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I need you.
Daddy, hey, Daddy, come here, okay?
I need you.
At the light, at the light, at the light, at the light.
I said come here.
You need to do what I tell you to do.
What are you doing?
I said come here!
You need to do what I tell you to do.
Listen to me!
Daddy, come here.
Hey, right here, right now!
You're making me mad.
Listen to me,
Listen to me.
Listen to me.
At the light.
How does it feel to know
I want to play airplane.
That you and I
I want to play airplane.
That you and I
I want to play airplane.
I want to put my arms out and fly.
Like the Red Baron in a Sopwith Camel!
I was like you.
No, wait.
Like Superman!
Up in the sky,
Say something!
Til I can see all of Pennsylvania.
Say something!
Put your feet here like this.
Daddy, do what I say.
There you aren't dead.
Take my hand, give me yours.
Bend your knees– not that way.
There you are.
When I say go, you start pushing me up.
Okay.
Don't let go yet.
Don't let go yet.
Okay, higher, just a little.
And now I'm flying away.
Look at me fly away.
In my wristband and cape.
Fly up so high.
Our house is over there,
And there's our car.
The Fun Home, I see it.
I'm up so far!
Daddy, there's your school!
And there's Grandma's house.
There's Uncle Pete's farm.
So far.
I can see all of Pennsylvania.
I can see all of Pennsylvania.
Fly away.
This is the best game!
Up in the air!
A picture of my father
And I don't even care that it pushes my stomach in.
Made of little marks.
Fly up so high.
Fly up so high.
Fly up so high.
I can see all of Pennsylvania.
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
The song “Flying Away” by Beth Malone, Emily Skeggs and Sydney Lucas from “Fun Home” is a touching portrayal of a daughter’s relationship with her dad. The song begins with the daughter trying to get her dad’s attention and trying to get him to be more involved in her life. She asks him to come here and listen to her. She’s frustrated that he doesn't listen to her and doesn't do what she wants him to do. But then she asks him to play airplane with her and in that moment, she sees her dad like a superhero who can make her fly high, just like the Red Baron in a Sopwith Camel or even Superman. Out of all the things that her dad wasn't there for, this one game helps her connect with him in a unique way. She flies as high as she can to see her home, her father’s school, uncle’s farm, grandma's house, and she sees all of Pennsylvania from there.
Throughout the song, the daughter portrays her frustration with her father's negligence regarding her needs, but she eventually finds a way to connect with him through playing games. The song represents emotional catharsis for the daughter, as she seeks to have a better relationship with her dad. The song’s lyrics are poignant and heartbreaking, as the daughter struggles to find a way to connect with her dad among the chaotic traces of his life. The song gives insight into the daughter’s psyche, as well as her efforts to connect with her father.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, Daddy, come here, okay, question mark?
Addressing Daddy, requesting attention.
I need you.
Asking Daddy for help.
Daddy, hey, Daddy, come here, okay?
Repeating the request for attention.
I need you.
Asking Daddy for help again.
At the light, at the light, at the light, at the light.
Impatiently waiting for Daddy to come to her.
What are you doing, comma,
I said come here.
You need to do what I tell you to do.
Demanding Daddy's attention and obedience
Listen to me!
Daddy, come here.
Hey, right here, right now!
You're making me mad.
Listen to me,
Listen to me.
Listen to me.
Desperately trying to get Daddy to pay attention to her and her request.
At the light.
Still waiting impatiently for Daddy to come to her.
How does it feel to know
I want to play airplane.
That you and I
I want to play airplane.
That you and I
I want to play airplane.
I want to put my arms out and fly.
Asking Daddy how he feels about her desire to play airplane and fly like Superman.
Like the Red Baron in a Sopwith Camel!
I was like you.
No, wait.
Like Superman!
Up in the sky,
Say something!
Til I can see all of Pennsylvania.
Say something!
Imagining herself to be a famous pilot and attempting to engage Daddy in the game. Wanting him to say something and fulfill her wish to fly high and see all of Pennsylvania.
Put your feet here like this.
Daddy, do what I say.
There you aren't dead.
Take my hand, give me yours.
Bend your knees– not that way.
There you are.
When I say go, you start pushing me up.
Okay.
Don't let go yet.
Don't let go yet.
Okay, higher, just a little.
Guiding Daddy through the process of helping her fly high like an airplane.
And now I'm flying away.
Look at me fly away.
In my wristband and cape.
Fly up so high.
Our house is over there,
And there's our car.
The Fun Home, I see it.
I'm up so far!
Daddy, there's your school!
And there's Grandma's house.
There's Uncle Pete's farm.
So far.
I can see all of Pennsylvania.
I can see all of Pennsylvania.
Fly away.
Describing the feeling of flying high and seeing familiar landmarks from up above. Excitedly telling Daddy about what she sees and expressing joy about being able to fly away like a superhero.
This is the best game!
Up in the air!
Expressing joy and excitement about playing this game and flying high.
A picture of my father
And I don't even care that it pushes my stomach in.
Made of little marks.
Reflecting on the memory of playing this game with her father, and how much she enjoyed it despite the physical discomfort it caused her.
Fly up so high.
Fly up so high.
Fly up so high.
I can see all of Pennsylvania.
Repeating the joyful feeling of flying high and seeing all of Pennsylvania from up above.
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
Reflecting on the special moments of being able to soar above her father while playing this game.
Contributed by Skyler I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.